EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH METHODS FOR APPLIED AND COMPUTATIONAL LINGUISTICS

This course provides an introduction to the main principles of research methods in applied linguistics. Students following this course will learn to design an applied linguistics study and to reason critically on published research papers.

Core topics covered in this course include:
- applied linguistics as a science
- experimental research designs in applied linguistics
- main research techniques used in psycholinguistics, theoretical linguistics and computational linguistics
- research ethics

1. Knowledge and understanding

- familiarity with the basic terminology and understanding of the relevant scientific literature
- familiarity with the best practices for conducting original scientific research in applied linguistics
- knowledge of the good research practice that ensure reproducibility, integrity and quality of research

2. Applying knowledge and understanding

- ability to set up a quantitative study
- knowledge of the features and limitations of the most widely used experimental paradigms in applied linguistics
- ability to propose insightful ideas

3. Making judgements

- awareness of the technical and deontological issues connected to the most widely used experimental paradigms in applied linguistics
- critically evaluate quantitative analyses and research papers in a range of linguistic sub-fields
- ability to compare competing hypotheses

4. Communication skills

- ability to interact with the other students and the instructor during lab sessions
- ability to properly communicate research findings

5. Learning skills

- ability to learn more advanced experimental paradigms
- ability to learn to use applications to run experimental studies (e.g. OpenSesame, Gorilla, E-Prime)

Basic computer skills
Main concepts of general linguistics
Basic mathematics skills

- Types of Variables
- Types of Experiments
- Hypothesis Testing
- Validity and Reliability
- Between-Subjects, Within-Subjects, and Mixed Designs
- Interactions
- Research Ethics

Course Textbook: Morling, B. (2020) Research Methods in Psychology: Evaluating a World of Information (4th ed.). Norton & Company.
Supplementary reading material published on the university e-learning platform

Learning assessment will rely on a written test comprising both multiple-choice and open-ended questions, alongside a few practical exercises.
Students will have the opportunity to improve their grade through homework assignments and in-class practical activities.

More in detail:
- Knowledge and comprehension: assessed through multiple-choice questions
- Applying knowledge and comprehension: assessed through open-ended questions
- Making judgments: assessed through specific multiple-choice questions
- Communicative skills: assessed through open-ended questions

written

A. Scores in the 18–22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- sufficient knowledge and understanding of the course content;
- limited ability to interpret data and formulate independent judgments;
- sufficient communication skills;

B. Scores in the 23–26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- fair knowledge and understanding of the course content;
- fair ability to interpret data and formulate independent judgments;
- fair communication skills;

C. Scores in the 27–30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- good or excellent knowledge and understanding of the course content;
- good or excellent ability to interpret data and formulate independent judgments;
- good or excellent communication skills;

D. Honors ("cum laude") will be awarded in the presence of outstanding knowledge of the course content, judgment, and communication skills.

Lecture-style presentations, lab sessions and workgroup activities. In-class participation is strongly recommended.